Both Talbots and Tristan have closed over the past few weeks and the two stores replacing them are Juicy Couture and Pink, respectively.  I was actually very surprised about the closing as I didn’t hear any announcement at all.  I knew that Talbots was in a bit of trouble from a while back, but didn’t realize that the Eaton Centre store was doing that badly.  I’m also wondering if the store is going to come back in another location.  The same goes for Tristan.

While I’m okay with Pink’s upcoming location on the second floor (on the same floor as its big sister, Victoria’s Secret), I think Juicy is an interesting replacement for Talbots.  It seems a bit out of place.  Most of the stores on the third floor of the mall are more “grown-up” – Banana Republic Women’s, Harry Rosen, Zara and the like, whereas Juicy has a reputation of being a little bit immature in a Kardashian/Hilton sort of way – a bit of trashphitication and truxury.  No matter how Juicy markets itself now (and yes, they’re moving away from the big logo on the behind to something a little more on the “nice” side, but still), it will be very difficult for the general public to see them as a more “sophisticated” brand.  Yes, they’re not exactly cheap compared to similar brands and price wise, fit very well with many of the third floor stores, but it’s WHAT they sell, or rather the reputation of WHAT they sell that makes them look a little…off.  That location is probably better off for J.Crew or Ann Taylor, should AT ever decide to open in Canada – in my opinion, anyway.

Do you think the third floor is a good location for Juicy?  Is it out of place?  Do you think Juicy should be on the second floor instead, alongside Pink (which would, of course, involve a bit of store shuffling – maybe moving Banana Republic Men upstairs.  Always thought it was strange that they were on the second floor, while the women’s store was on the third)? Come to think of it, what do you think of Juicy coming to the Toronto Eaton Centre, period?